Lead Dietitian, Food First
At a glance
- Band
- Band 7
- Contract
- Permanent
- Pattern
- Part-time
- Hours / week
- 15
- Posted
- 24/08/2026
- Closes
- 06/09/2026
Sponsorship verdict
This contract type is not eligible for Skilled Worker sponsorship.
NHS Trusts cannot issue a Certificate of Sponsorship for part-time, bank, locum, zero-hours, job-share or short fixed-term (under 12 months) contracts under current Home Office rules. This applies even when the wider Trust holds a Skilled Worker licence.
Role summary
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Community Dietitian to become a joint lead for the Food First and Prescribing Support Dietetic Service in Milton Keynes. The role involves clinical and managerial leadership of a small, dedicated team, collaborating with colleagues across Bedfordshire and Luton. You will manage a caseload of highly complex patients and contribute to service development and improvement. The position is part-time, 15 hours per week, within a vibrant department at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Essential criteria
- Registered as a Dietitian with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
- Member of relevant specialist interest group (Relevant to area of specialty)
- Student Supervisory Skills training
- Level 7 Qualification in Nutrition Support or equivalent experience
- Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions relevant to area of specialty
Desirable criteria
- Membership of relevant professional association i.e. British Dietetic Association (BDA)
- Management or leadership training or qualification
- Significant experience in applying therapeutic processes include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised treatment in area of specialty
- Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with clinical specialists, GP, specialist nurses, community teams etc.
- Supervision, appraisal and training of junior members of staff and students
- Ability to autonomously manage a caseload of highly complex patients
- Ability to undertake projects within specialist area e.g. using NICE guidance, benchmarking and clinical audit
- Ability to lead and participate in departmental audits and review of Trust Policy
- Proven leadership experience in relevant clinical specialty or similar clinical field
- Experience in service development /improvement, including project planning from objective setting to evaluating outcomes
- Experience of organising and providing training for other health professionals
- Experience of developing and implementing clinical guidance
- Knowledge and understanding of wider issues facing the NHS
- Understanding of national strategies and policies relating to nutrition, health and social care as relevant to the post.
- Proven time management skills
- Ability to remain flexible when organising and prioritising own clinical and non-clinical caseload
- High level of written and verbal communication including report writing skills
- Advanced skills in the assessment and treatment of patients in relevant clinical area
- Ability to present and teach information to junior and assistant staff and students as part of an in-service programme
- Ability to maintain accurate, comprehensive, and up to date documentation, in line with legal and Trust standards.
- Ability to appropriately apply a range of treatment approaches
- Ability to problem-solve and to demonstrate clinical reasoning based on experience and knowledge.
- Skills in planning, delivering and evaluating dietetic services
- Ability to work with and understand complex data sets to support evaluation and service development.
- Personal and people development
- Experience of managing and developing junior and assistant staff
- Experience of using HR policy and procedure including sickness absences and performance management
- Knowledge of change management principles
- Communication
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to influence others
- Competent in the use of IT including proficiency with emails
- Ability to deliver sensitive information in a tactful and empathetic manner
- Qualifications and knowledge
- Registered as a Dietitian with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Evidence of a range of specialist continuing professional development
- Member of relevant specialist interest group (Relevant to area of specialty)
- Student Supervisory Skills training
- Level 7 Qualification in Nutrition Support or equivalent experience
- Awareness of NHS and Trust systems, policies, procedures and current changes
- Sound therapeutic and clinical knowledge
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge and awareness of national guidelines relevant to specialist area
- Ability to demonstrate knowledge of evidence based clinical practice for a range of conditions relevant to area of specialty
- Membership of relevant professional association i.e. British Dietetic Association (BDA)
- Management or leadership training or qualification
- Significant experience in applying therapeutic processes include assessment, interpretation, individual care planning, motivation, monitoring and evaluation of highly specialised treatment in area of specialty
- Experience of working with patients in relevant specialist area
- Active member of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) including liaison with cli
Useful to know
Agenda for Change 2024/25 pays Band 7 at £46,148 – £52,809 a year, across England.
This advert: £49,387 – £56,515 — outside the standard scale; check for HCAS/London weighting.
Posted 14d ago · Closes in 0d
Applications close soon — apply now if this is a fit.
Full advert · preview
Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Lead Dietitian, Food First
The closing date is 06 September 2026
Job summary
Food First Lead Dietitian
Department: Nutrition & Dietetics
Band 7, £49,387 - £56,515 Per annum pro rata
Hours: Part time, 15 per week, all MKUH roles will be considered for flexible working
Are you an experienced Community Dietitian ready to take the next step in your career?We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and motivated individual to become joint lead of our Food First and Prescribing Support Dietetic Service in Milton Keynes.
'We care We communicate We collaborate We contribute'
Please note: We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.
Interview date: 16 September 2026
Main duties of the job
You will jointly lead (with another B7 Dietitian) a small, dedicated team comprising a Dietitian and a Dietetic Assistant Practitioner, collaborating closely with colleagues across Bedfordshire and Luton.This role is ideal for a dietitian with substantial community experience and a passion for service development and leadership. You'll bring strong communication, time management, and teamworking skills, along with the flexibility to adapt in a fast-paced environment.
You'll be part of a vibrant department based at Milton Keynes University Hospital, home to over 30 registered dietitians, dieteti
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